Slicing machine



plil 28, 1936. r c. L. sTRAETEN 2,038,770

SLICING MACHINE Filed sept. 29, 1932 4 sheets-sheet 1 -.yal INVENTOR W/:MNM 'A ATTORNEY il 28, 1936. c. L. STR/ETEN 2,038,770

` SLICING MACHINE Fild spt. 29, 1932 4 sheets-sheet 2 Charles ozzzls Straeten INVENTOR ATTORNEY Ap 28, 1936. c. L. sTRAl-:TEN

' SLICING'MACHINE 4 Sheefs-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 29, 1952 i CIZcYfZe 0112's Straeten INVENTOR 28, 1936. C STRAETEN 2,038,770

' SLICING MACHINE n Filed sept. '29, 1952 4 'sheets-sheet 4 fly? Clzfles Ozzie Stfczeezz INVENTOR WITH L-ss ATroRNEv Patented Apr. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT .OFFICE Industrial Patents Corporation,

Chicago, Ill., a

corporation of Delaware Application September 29, 1932, Serial No. 635,383

Claims.

'Ihe invention relates to slicing machines and particularly to slicing machines employed for the cutting of slabs of bacon into strips.

Heretofore there has been employed a slicing machine having a knife or cutter movable in a vertically and transversely extending cutting plane for severing the several slices of bacon, one after the other, from a slab` of bacon while the latter is supported on a horizontally, transversely and longitudinally extending supporting table with which the cutter is functionally associated and it has also been old in machines of this type to have the supporting table constructed so that itis provided by or with a longitudinally moving conveying element or with other suitable means for effecting longitudinal forward movement of the slabs to the knife or cutter. It has also been old to have associated with such supporting table a spring pressed holding down means for maintaining the slabs in contact with the supporting table, but in the previous machines the holding down mechanism as heretofore constructed has left a considerable gap between the forward end of this upper holding down mechanism on the one hand and the rear face ofthe cutter on the other, with the result that the product-such as a bacon slab-is not always held as firmly as should be during the several cutting operations to which it must be subjected.

An object of the present invention is to provide a construction that includes a series of holding fingers for engaging a product as a slab of bacon being cut, each of which fingers is yieldable relative to the other and more particularly according to the shape of the upper surface of and under the influence of the product while it is being moved to and while in cutting position, and to insert such construction in the space immediately behind the cutter so that through the functioning of the lingers the product is held and maintained against displacement while being cut.

An important feature essential for these fingers is that the lower forward end thereof shall be located in proximity to the rear of the cutting knife in order to engage the product in the immediate vicinity where the cutting action takes place. The construction thus employed is preferably provided with means so that the fingers normally are spring pressed to holding position. 'I'he construction also provides a common operating means through the medium of which all of the fingers can be moved against the pressure of the springs to their retracted inoperative position. In the machine shown, the cutter has not only a shearing 'cutting action but also t0 a cer- (Cl. 14S-110) tain extent a lateral or transverse drawing cutting action as it performs the cutting operation,

The lingers are constructed and arranged so that they serve to oppose any tendencyfor lateral distortion which is incident to this characteristic cutting feature of the knife, and one aspect of the invention relates to the employment in a slicing machine having a cutter of the character mentioned, of yieldable holding lingers that 'extend forwardly close to the rear face of the knife and which fingers are mounted in amanner to quite firmly engage a product, as a slab of bacon, in the position where the cutting operation is performed with suiiicient force to effectively oppose the distortion which would otherwise take place if the peculiar cutting effect inherent to the particular knife were not opposed in some suitablerk manner as by the linger construction herein described.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood thatrvarious changes in the form, proportion and minor details of` construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to Without departingfrom the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Reference will now be made to the drawings in detail forming a part of this specification, and in which drawings:-

Figure 1 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectionalv view showing the forward end of a slicing machine having an endlessconveying element which constitutes part of a table or vsupporting structure upon and along whichslabs of bacon are fed in a longitudinally forward direction to a cutter or knife which carries out a cutting operation in a transverse cutting plane that extends at right angles to the longitudinal line of feed. The forward end of the table has an anvil in respect to which the knife functions and from` this figure it will be seen that the knife is carried upon a suitable shaft that drives the same and that the machine comprehendsa set of springv pressed holding down rollers and also a yieldable linger construction which is located between the front of the pressing or holding down rollers on the one hand and the rear face of the knife on the other. In this figure there is also shown the rear end of an endless delivering conveyor which is relied upon for carrying the severed slices away from the cutting Zone, or in other words, away from the cutting machine.

Fig. 2 is a front elevationparts at each side thereof being broken awayof the machine. In this figure the cutting knife is shown in; the position it occupies at the end of the cutting operation. It will be noted,V however, that the right Y hand section of the cutting knife is broken way.

It will Valso be noted in this figure that the spring pressed nger or finger construction, clearly shown in Fig. V1, is in fact but one of several such fingers or finger constructions that are trans-y versely` arranged in respect to each other across the front or forward portion of the'machine, but immediately behind the cutter thereof, and in Y, Fig. 2 there is clearly shown-a handle that can 'thatis pivotally connected-to the central portion of one ofthe yfingers is mounted upon the shaft that carries the arm.

Fig.5 is a generalgside elevation-showing practically the entire cutting machine construction and in respectthereto a portion of the endless delivering'conveyor. yThe parts shown in Fig. 5

` are onY a much smaller scale Vthan in Fig. 1. InA

Y:als

7501receiving and supporting table'whichgalso comthe finger arrangement illustrated in-Figs.Y 1 to 5,

reliance for thegpressing Veffect is upon a` coiledr spring located above or at the top of the fingerY construction.

Figs. 6 and '7 are detail views,r indicating a'modiflcation according to which the specific spring yconstruction of Figs. 1 to 5can be eliminated or augmented, and another spring construction can be employed in place thereof or in addition thereto. v Y Y Reference will now be made to the drawings in detail. y Y Y Y In Fig. 5 the slicing machine as a whole is designated .by I. It comprises any suitable framework as 2 that supports at the rear Vor feeding end thereof a fixed rear portion 3 of a prehends an endlessitable member 4 which may be considered as part of the feeding mechanism whereby slabs of baconor'other meat products are fed'in a longitudinalY forward jdirction to the .cutter or knife ofthe machine. VThis endless. tablemember 4 maybe considered as part Yof anY endless conveyor that is-reliedupon for feeding the'material or meat products to be sliced, such as slabs of bacon, forwardly to the cutter 6. At

. the front endY of the machine there is an anvil 5 constituting the forward end of the tablestructure and which` serves to support the forward end'of the slab of Vbacon whilebeing cut. The cutter or knife 6' of the machine is ofthe revolving type and is secured to and carried at the Y forwardv end I of the cutter' carrying shaft 8 which continuouslyV revolves, wherebythe cutterV is in fact a continuously operating cutter. The

rframe rof the machine supports any suitable type of motor 9 which operates the shaftthrough suit-Y able gearing as I0 and II. The endl'ess conveying mechanism 4 operatedY fromV the cutter carrying shaft 8 lthrough. themedium of chain and gearmechanism -inv effect through gear vmechanism-comprehending parts such as I2, I3,k

Ythe cutter or knife 6.

2,038,770 Y t Y I4, I5, I6, and I1, all of which parts are suitably supported, but as to which detailed description thereof is not considered necessary, and which function to drive through the medium Yof orVV from the cutter carrying shaft the endless feed conveyor 4. y Y

The Yfixed rear portion 3, the endless conveying member 4, ,and the anvil 5 constitute a longitudinally, horizontally and transversely extending supporting table upon, along and by which slabs of bacon to be sliced are fed in a general| for-- wardly longitudinal direction to the cutter. The

machine is provided with any suitable means as rollers IBVwhich are spring pressed by springs I9 so Vas to normally force the slabs of bacon towards the table during the period they are being conveyed forwardlyV towards the cutter. Thesey rollers are sometimes referred to as yielding or Y spring pressed holding down rollers because they function to=press the slabs of bacon downwardly towards the supporting table and Vhold them against theV same. 'IheV machine is also provided with any suitable endless discharge conveying mechanism as Y20 which is relied Yupon to convey Vthesliced material from the machineas and when produced. This endless conveying mechanism 20 is generally of the continuously moving type. Y Y /Reverting now to the construction shown more clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that relatively l'ong space exists between the foremosty spring pressed roller I8 and the rear face 2| of The-knife is constructed so that it functions not merely bya downward shearing action but also by a combined downward shearing and drawing action. This drawing ac-'l tion effect is produced because the knife has a cutting component in a'transverse or lateral dio rection. The cutting effect by the knife tendsto 'cause certain distortion of the material being out or sliced unless that material is supported against the forces tending to distort it and particularly against the forcesrtending to distort it in a laterall transverse direction. Y

. To that end and also in order to insure that the bacon slab .or whatever meat that is beingr cut shall be held in place, the nger construction generally designated as Y22 has been incorporated in the machine between the pressing rollers I8 and therrear face 2Ir of the cutter or knife 6.

This finger constructionV is made up of a series.

of elements as .22s. 22h, 22C andietc., and comprises a series. of fingers 23.` In Fig. 2 it Vwill be Y noted that seven l'of such fingers are included.

' These fingers aremounted so that the lower ends thereof can yield in a vertical direction, inv other words, each finger can move ina vertical, longitudinally extending plane, but they' are also mounted sothat they do'nothave movement in a lateral'transverse direction, or in other words, sov

that they oppose movement in a lateral transverse direction. These fingers are under the direct control in so far as movement from operative to inoperative position is concerned, of the shaft 24'which may beY considered as the-main'shaftof the finger construction. This'shaft is'mount- Ved in suitable bearings provided at 25 Yand 26 invr the upright side members of the main frame and Y there is located aboverthis main shaft whatY mayA v Vbe considered as an auxiliary shaft 21 that is in' turn mounted in bearings as 28 and 29 inthe up- Y right side members of the main frame. It will bev f observed that the main shaft 24V extends horl- Zontally and transversely 'of the machine and that it is located behind the cutterand parallel to the cuttingl plane thereof and that it is also located above the supporting table and substantiallyV parallel thereto. The auxiliary shaft 21 is also a transversely extending shaft that parallels the main shaft and this auxiliary shaft is mounted behind the cutter and also above the supporting table.I

The function of this auxiliary shaft will hereinafter more fully appear. On the main shaft 24 there is pivotally mounted a series of finger carrying arms or levers 3-sometimes herein referredto as long arms-and these arms or levers 3|] are mounted on the shaft 24 in such a manner that these finger carrying-arms can swing or have angular .movement in respect to the main shaft 24. The outer or free end of each lever or arm 30 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 3| to the central portion of the finger 23 that corresponds to the arm or lever. The number of finger carrying arms correspond to the number of ngers. The auxiliary shaft 21 carries a number of short arms 32 that are mounted so as to have free angular movement in respect to the auxiliary shaft carrying the same. In other Words, as between the auxiliary shaft and these arms there is no influence to restrain this angular movement so that the finger arms `are freerto adjust themselves to the outside forces applied thereto. The free end of each short arm is connected by means of a pivot pin 33 to the upper end of one of the fingers 23. Each pivot pin 33 also carries a roller 34 downwardly, against each one of which there is continuously pressed the lower head member 35 of a forcing plunger 35.

There is connected to the main frame-of the machine a U-shaped cross bar 31. The bight portion of this U-shaped bar provides a horizontally extending cross bar 38, the leg portions 39 of the U-shaped bar constituting the members whereby through the medium of bolts 40, the cross bar member is secured in place on the frame. The horizontally extending cross bar just referred to has a series of screw threaded openings into which adjusting screws 4| enter and through which they pass in order to elect adjustment of the upper collar 42 and thereby the compressive effect of the spring 43 on the lower end of the plunger can be realized.

The plunger 36 has a stem 44 that extends upwardly through the adjusting screw member 4|. From an inspection of the drawings, it will be seen that there is a spring and adjusting screw for each linger 23 and that each finger is yieldably pressed by the spring means just described towards the meat product being sliced. The downward movement, however, of this finger is limited as will now appear. In the rst place, the shaft 24 has a pin or restraining member 45 that extends upwardly to a position where it can engage the auxiliary shaft 21 and thus restrain the movement of the shaft 24 from further movement in a clockwise direction. In other words, this pin or restraining member 45 constitutes a stop for the shaft 24. The shaft 24 in turn carries a series of secondary stops 46, there being a secondary stop for and corresponding to each finger. The function of these secondary stops is to restrain a movement in a clockwise direction of the finger carrying arms or levers 30 beyond a certain position.

The stops 45 are clearly indicated in Fig. 4 and are sometimes referred to as the arm stops. It will be seen that the lever 30 has a slotted portion 41 which permits a limited upward movement of the free end of the lever 3U in a counter-clockwise direction in order that the finger 23 can adjust itself according to the upward pressureV It will be noted that the underside of the finl gers 23 slope downwardly and forwardiy with the result that the meat products or slabs of bacon being fed forwardly through the machine will engage the underside of the fingers 23 and will lift the several fingers 23 upwardly until they assume the position shown for example, in Fig. 1. When in this position it will be noted that the stop 45 may or may not be in engagementV with the auxiliary shaft 21 because the finger 30 is enabled to have a limited movement relative to the main shaft 24-a feature which is inherent to the slotted construction 41. When in this position it will be observed that the pressure of the fingers 23 against the slab of bacon is in theimmediate vicinity of the cutter and is determined as to each finger by the adjusted pressure of the spring 43 which may be adjusted by the operator according to the requirements. There are times when one may desire to collectively lift the lower ends of the ngers 23 and to that end a handle 48 is provided at the right hand end of: the main shaft 24. By pressing this handle 48y so that the shaft moves in a counter-clockwise direction, in other words so that the secondary stops or arm pins 43 thereupon will move downwardly and to the left, it will be observed that the stop 45 will be moved counter-clockwise away from the auxiliary shaft 21. It Will also be observed that the secondary stops or arm pins 46.

will engage the rear portion 4l2L of the slotted section 41 of the arms 30 in a manner to lift the forward free ends of the finger carrying arms 3|), Consequently, the lifting of the free ends of the arms 30 will thus effect a bodily lifting of the nger of each of the linger arms 23 fromthe full line position shown in Fig. 3 or from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3.

It will also be observed that the lever construction just described is such that it causes the forward free end of the fingers to move in a path substantially parallel to and adjacent the rear surface orv face 2| of the knife or cutter 5. There has previously been described the mechanism which comprises the compression springs 43 as a means for continuously pressing theA fingers downwardly. 'I'here is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 a construction whereby a downward pressure is applied not to a roller 34 asin the case of the construction of Fig. 3, but by means of a spring 43v that continuously exerts a downward pressure upon the :linger carrying arm or lever 30. This spring is enabled to accomplish this as will be manifest from an inspection of Figs. 6 and 7 because one end thereof is secured to the secondary stud or pin 45 and the other end of which is applied at 50 to the top of the arm or lever 30. Of course, it must be understood that this spring is coiled about the shaft 24 in such a manner that when thus connected a substantial downward pressure is continuously applied to the arm carrying shaft 30. When the arrangement of Figs. 6 and 7 is employed as a substitute for the spring 43 it is advisable to xedly secure the shaft 24 except as to such times as it is desirable to employ the handle 48 for the purpose of raising the parts from the full line position shown in Fig. 3 to the Y other words, one

dotted lineposition. VThis securing of the shaft 24V can be readily accomplished by means of the latch construction shown Yat Y5I in Fig. 2. The

spring construction of Figs. 6 and 'l could be employed as auxiliary to the pressing effect of spring 43 if desired. Y

ItV will be manifest from what has preceded that the several fingers 23 can adjust themselves Yin a vertical direction according to the thickness Y parallel to the supporting surface of the table, or Y in other words, these fingers restrain the slabs of bacon against any lateral distortion which tends to take place incident to the cutting operation as Y carried out.

Whatis claimed is: Y Y

1. In a slicing machine in association with a knife that has a general downward cutting movement, an anvil or lower supporting member with which the knife functionally cooperates to effect a'cutting operation as the knife moves downwardly, a holdingmeans comprising a shaft that extends parallel to the -cutting plane of the knife and also substantially parallel to the work sup-V porting. surface of the anvil, a series of arms mounted on said shaftV so as 'to permit swinging of Y arms extend in a general shaft but so that the forward direction towards thefrear surface of the knife, a nger pivlotally mounted on theforward end of each arm so that the forward end of each'nger extends adjacent to and in the immediate vicinity of the rear face of the knife and so that' the forward portion of each finger has ageneral forward and downward inclination on the under surface thereof,and for Yeach. finger means normally tending to yieldably press the associated arml and nger to which said means corresponds towards the anvil whereby a piece being slicedV is by the several fingers as they collectively function locally engaged and pressed at different places along its width `and in the immediate vicinity of the cutting region in a manner to hold the product being cut against substantial local distortion and lateral said arms relative to the shifting during the cutting operations.

a supporting member along 2. A slicing machine comprlslng 1n combination which vproducts Vas slabs of bacon areV fed in a forward longitudinal direction to be cut and upon which the products are supported while being cut, a knife that has a general downward cutting'movement and that comprehends a drawing cutting movement in a transverse direction relative to' the supporting Vmember, a holding means comprising ashaft that Vextends parallel to the cutting plane'of the knife and also substantially parallel to the supporting surface of the supporting member, a series Yof arms mounted on said shaft so as to permit'swinging of said arms relative to the shaft but so that 4the arms extend in a general forwardV direction towards the rear surfacey of the knife, a finger pivotally mounted on the forward end of each arm so that the lower forward end of each finger whereby the product as a slab of bacon beingV sliced is locally engaged and pressed at different places along its width but inthe immediatek vicinity of the cutting region in a manner to hold the product being cut against local distortion and lateral shifting duringV the cutting operations. Y

3. In a slicing machine a knife movable in a Y vertically and transversely extendingY cutting plane,-a horizontally, longitudinally and transversely extending supporting member relative to which the knife is functionally associated, a horizontally and transversely extending shaft locatedl in spaced relation tol and above the supporting member and also in spaced relation to and behind .the knife, the knife having a relatively straight or flat rear face and a cutting edge at the lower portion thereof provided by the bevellingY of the',V front edge of the knife, said shaft being mounted so that it can have angular movement about its axis, a stop for limiting the forward movement as in a clockwise direction of the top portion of the shaft but which permits a limited rearward movement as in acounter-clockwise direction, a handle onY the shaft for imparting the rearward or counter-clockwise movement to the shaft as and when desired, a series of second stops on said shaft, a series of arms mounted on the shaft so as to have limitedangular movement relative to the shaft, which varms extend forwardly from the shaft towards but only part way to the knife,

each said armbeing continuously pressed to its normal forward position whereatfit engages one of the second stops corresponding thereto, thereby limitmg the movement of the arm in arclockwise,A

direction but mountedY so that it is permitted a l1m1ted yielding movement'in a counter-clockwise direction in respect to said shaft, a finger pivotally mounted on the forward'free end of each arm sok isf rear face ofthe knife,and means whereby yield- .Y

ing pressure isapplied in Ya manner tending to continuously Aforce the ngers andthe arms carrymg the same to the lowermost or normal positionv thereof but which means will permit upward yielding movement of thefmgers as required according to the local thickness of the product in, the immediate vicinity where the cutting orslic-V ing'operation is performedl f Y Y 4. In a slicing machine, Va, knife movable in a vertically and transversely. extending cuttingY plane Yso as to effect a combined downward and transverse drawing cutting action, a horizontally,

longitudinally and transversely extending Ysupporting member relative to whichV the'knifeV isV functionally associated, and forwardly and longitudinally along which products to be sliced are fed to the knife, a horizontally andv transversely extending shaft located in spaced relation toand above the supporting member and also in spaced relation to and behindthe knife, the Aknife havingV a relatively straight or flat rear face and a cutting edge provided by the bevelling of a front.

edge portion of the knife, said shaft being mounted so that it can have angular movementl about its axis, a stop for limiting the forward movement as in a clockwise direction of the top portion of the shaft but which permits a rearward movement as in a counter-clockwise direction, means on the shaft for imparting the rearward or counter-clockwise movement to the shaft as and when desired, a series of second or arm stops onsaid shaft, a series of arms mounted on the shaft so as to permit limited angular movement relative to the shaft and extended forward from the shaft towards but only part way to the knife, each said arm being limited as to its movement in a'clookwise direction but so that it is permitted a limited yielding movement in a counter-clockwise direction in respect to said shaft, each said arm being cooperatively related with one of the arm stops corresponding thereto whereby normal forward position of the arm in a clockwise direction is arrested, a finger pivotally mounted on the forward free end of each arm so that the lower portion of the finger is inclined forwardly and downwardly and extends in close proximity to the rear face of the cutter, means for guiding each finger so that during bodily movement of the nger as in a vertical 'direction the lower free end thereof will be retained in close proximity relative to the back or rear face of the knife, and means for applying yielding pressure in a manner to continuously force the fingers and the arms carrying the fingers to the normal position therefor but which means will permit upward yielding movement from normal position as required of both the fingers and associated arms according to the local thickness of the product in the immediate vicinity where the cutting or slicing operation is performed.

5. In combination in a slicing machine, a horizontally, transversely and longitudinally extending supporting tab-le, a cutting knife which operates in a vertically and transversely extending cutting plane, a hand operated transversely extending shaft located behind the knife in spaced relation in respect thereto also located above the supporting table in spaced relation thereto, a second shaft located above the first shaft, a series of long arms mounted on the rst shaft so as to have angular movement in respect thereto which long arms extend towards the knife, a series of short arms carried by the upper shaft, each of which is angularly movable in respect to the upper shaft, a series of forwardly and downwardly inclined pressing fingers, the intermediate portion of each of which lingers is pivotally connected to the forward end of a long arm corresponding thereto and the upper end of which ngers is pivotally connected to the free end of the short arm corresponding thereto, means for applying spring pressure for normally tending to press the fingers and the arms associated therewith to a lowermost normal position but which yield to permit individual upward movement as required of each arm, the construction being provided with suitable stops which limit the downward movement of the fingers to the normal lower position for the fingers but which also are employed to effect upward movement of the ngers when angular movement in a counter-clockwise direction is imparted to the lower shaft.

6. In a meat slicing machine, a frame, a cutting means, means for the feed of material to the cutting means, yieldable presser means above the material to `press the same yieldably on said feeding means for the feed of the material, and means `yielding of the holding means, and means l between 'the cutting means and the yieldable presser means for firmly holding the material during the slicing operation including a second presser means and a plurality of lingers mounted in the frame for vertical pivotal movement and which extend forwardly and downwardly towards the cutting means and terminate at their forward ends 'relatively close to the cutting means with said forward ends moving vertically substantially parallel with the plane of the cutting means and which are yieldably engageable with the material adjacent the cutting means under the influence of said second mentioned presser means whereby to rmly hold the material adjacent the cutting means during the slicing operation.

'7. n a meat slicing machine, a frame, a cutting means, means for the feed of material to the cutting means, yieldable presser means above the material to press the same yieldably on said feeding means for the feed of the material, means between the cutting means and said presser means movable vertically to yieldably engage the material adjacent the cutting means during the slicing operation, means above said holding means to exert downward pressure on said holding means to effect firm engagement of the latter with the material during the slicing operation and yet permit an upward yielding movement of the holding means during the feed of the material to the cutting means, and a movable connection between said material engaging means and said downward pressure exerting means and movable transversely of said downward pressure exerting means as the latter moves into and out of engagement with the material.

8. In a meat slicing machine, a frame, a cutting means, means for the feed of material to the cutting means, yieldable presser means above the material to press the same yieldably on said feeding means for the feed of the material, means between the cutting means and said presser means movably vertically to engage the material adjacent the cutting means during the slicing operation, means above said holding means to exert downward pressure on said holding means to effect firm engagement of the latter with the material during the slicing operation and yet permit an upward yielding movement of the holding means during the feed of the material to the cutting means, and a movable means interposed between the holding means and said pressure exerting means associated therewith to provide a movable operative connection between the holding means and said cooperating pressure exerting means.

9. In a meat slicing machine, a frame, a cutting means associated with the frame, means over which the meat may be fed to the cutting means, a presser means to yieldably press the meat on the means over which they meat is fed to the cutting means and spaced from the latter, means between the cutting means and said presser means to engage the meat adjacent the cutting means to yieldingly hold the meat adjacentV the cutting means Yduring the slicing operation under which the meat passes to the cutting means, and means including a spring actuated plunger coacting with the meat holding means to exert pressure on the latter to force it into firm holding engagement with the meat and yet permit upward movably carried by the holding means and movably engageable by the inner end of the spring actuated plunger to take the thrust of the plunger in Y Y Y cutting means and sp-aced from the latter, means ri ting means, means for the supporting of meat adwardly directed pivoted vertically movable finger vunder Vwhich the meatV passes to the cutting forcingthe holding means into engagement with the meat.

110. VInameat slicing machine, a frame, a cuttingmeans associated with the frame, means over Vwhich the me'at'may bev fed to the cutting means, a 'presser means to yieldably4 press the meat on the means over which themeat'is fed to the cutting means and spaced from the latter, means between `the cutting means and said presser means to engage the `meat adjacent theV cutting Y' means ,to yieldably hold thermeat adjacent the cutting means during the slicing operation and means, and'means including a Vspring actuated device and a movable elementinterposedV therebetween and the holding means to normally exert Y pressure on they interposed element and said hold-Y Y lng means to hold the latter yieldably in firm engagement with the meat during the slicing operation. Y Y Y V1l.'In-a meat slicing machine, a frame, 'a cutting'fmeans associated with the frame, means over which the meat Vmay be fed to the cutting means, a presser'meansto yieldably press themeat on the means over'which the meat is fed to the between the cutting.. means and said presser means to engage the meat adjacent the cutting means toV yieldably hold the meat adjacent the cutting means during the slicing operation andV r Vunder which the meat passes to the cutting Y exerting means means, means including a spring actuated device and a movable element interposed therebetween and the holding means to normally exert pressure on the interposed element and said holding means toy hold the latter yieldably in firm engagement with the meat during the slicing operation, and

-means for limiting the yieldable movement of said holding means in one'direction.

Yl2. In a meat slicing machine, a frame, a cutjacentrto the cutting means, a combined pressure including a spring actuated Y plunger having a headr at its lower end and a meat holding means including a downwardly and forhaving its forward end disposed in closeY relation to the cutting means to yieldably hold the meat adjacent the cutting means during the slicing operation, and a device interposed between said l head of said plunger and the inner end of said Yfinger to take the thrust of said plunger in forcing the finger into said m eat engaging position.

V13. In a meat slicing machine, a frame, a cutting means, means for the supporting of meat vadf i: jacent to the cutting means, a combined pressureV exerting meansV including a spring actuated plunger having a head at its lower end and a meat holding means including a downwardly and forwardly directed pivoted vertically movable fingerV having its forward end disposed in close relation to the'cutting Ymeans to yieldably hold the meat adjacent the cutting means duringY thefslicing operation, and a roller ,t interposed between the head of said plunger'and the inner end of the ffinger and against whichv roller the head ofA the plunger operates to exert pressureon said finger. F14. In a meatslicing machine, a frame, a cutting means, meansY for/thesupport of.meat ad-` jacent to the cutting means, 4a combined pressure exerting means including a spring actuated plunger having a head at its lower end and a meat*` holding Vmeans including a downwardly and forwardly directed pivoted verticallyzmovable finger Vhavingits forward end disposed in close relationV to the cutting-meansto yieldably hold the meat adjacent the cutting means during the slicing operation, a device interposed between said head of said plunger and the inner end of Ysaid finger to"Y take the thrust of said' plunger in forcing the finger into said'meat engaging position, and a stop device to limit movement of the finger in one direction.` Y

`15. Ina meat slicing machine, a Vframe, means Y on the frame for the support of meat, a cutting means mounted on the frame including acutting element operableadjacent one end of theframe, means cooperating with the cutting element to hold the meat firmly 'on said supporting means' Yadjacent Ythe cutting element during the slicing operation, including a shaftimounted transverse ly in the frame above the 'meat, a vplurality of f arms mounted for up and down movement on said shaft and projecting toward the cutting ele-Y ment, a second vshaft mounted transversely in the frame above the aforesaid shaft, a plurality of arms carried by the second shaft and arranged Y above the respective arms. of the first mentioned s cluding a plunger engaging the respective rollers to exert pressure on the respective fingers to normally force the outer ends of the fingers into firm but yielding engagement with the meat ad-VV jacent lthe cutting element.

16. In a meat slicing machine, arframe, means z on the frame for the support of meat, a cutting means mounted on the frame including a cutting Yelement operableadjacent one end of the frame, means cooperating with the cutting element to hold the meat firmly on said supporting means adjacent the cutting element during the slicing t t operation, including a shaft mounted transversely in the frame above the meat, a plurality'of arms mounted for up and down movement on said shaft and projecting toward the cutting element, a sec-j Y ond shaft mounted transversely in the frame above the aforesaid shaft, la plurality of arms carried by the second shaft and arranged above the respective arms of the first mentioned shaft, fingers pivoted intermediate their ends Yto the arms of the first shaft and having pivotal connection at their inner ends with the arms of the said second'shaft, a roller mounted on the pivotal connection between the respective fingers and the respective arms of the second shaft, spring actuated devices corresponding in number with'the sets ofarins andrfingers;` and each including a plunger Vengaging the respective rollers to exert pressure on the respective fingers tonormally force the outer ends of the fingers into firm butY Y Y yielding engagement with the meat adjacent the;

cutting element, means to limit the vertical movements of-thearins on the first mentionedshaft,

named shaft.- Y

1'7. In a meat slicing machine, a frame, a meat'` supporting means, a Ycutting means operable adjacent one end ofthe supporting means,vand a pressure exerting meat holding meansincluding upperand lower vertically aligning sets of Varms pivotally mounted in the frame, fingers pivotally connected to respective upper and lower arms,

and spring pressure means for exerting downward 65,' and means to restrain. movement of the first pressure on the fingers to maintain Ytheir lower ends yieldably but firmly in engagement with the upper face of the meat at spaced points relatively close to the cutting means to hold the meat against distortion during the slicing operation.

18. In a meat slicing machine, a frame, a meat supporting means, a cutting means operable adjacent one end ofthe supporting means, a pressure exerting meat holding means including upper and lower vertically aligning sets of arms pivotally mounted in the frame, ngers pivotally connected to respective upper and lower arms, and spring pressure means mounted in the frame and coacting with the fingers to maintainvtheir lower ends yieldably but firmly engaging the upper face of the meat at spaced points relatively close to the cutting means to hold the meat against distortion during the slicing operation, means to limit pivotal movements of the lower arms, and means to 'limit pivotal movements of the upper arms.

19. In a meat slicing machine, a frame, a meat supporting means, a cutting means including a cutting element having a fiat linner face, a spring pressed holding means for holding the meat firmly on said supporting means during the slicing operation, including a downwardly and forwardly directed means extending toward the cutting element and the supporting means to firmly engage the meat on the supporting means along a line parallel with the flat inner face of the cutting element, said holding means having a flat edge portion parallel with the inner flat face of the cutting element, said holding means being movable vertically upwardly against the spring actuated means thereof away from the supporting means by the meat as the meat is moved thereunder, and means for mounting said holding means and operable to move under the influence of the vertical movements of the holding means to maintain the said flat edge portion of the meat holding means substantially parallel with the flat inner face of the cutting element as the holding means moves vertically.

20. In a slicing machine, a frame, a meat supporting means, a cutting means including a cutting element, a series of spring actuated fingers supported pivotally intermediate their ends, and inclined and forced normally downwardly and forwardly towards the cutting element and towards said supporting means, means for pivotally mounting the spring actuated fingers, means for movably mounting the pivotal means of the fingers, the forward ends of the fingers engaging the upper face of the meat close to the cutting element to hold the meat firmly adjacent the cutting element during the slicing operation and incident to the aforesaid mountings, each finger being movable upwardly in a vertical plane independently one of another against the action of the spring actuation thereof and in a vertical plane substantially parallel with the Vertical plane of the cutting element.

21. In a slicing machine, a frame, a meat supporting means, a cutting means including a cutting element, a series of spring actuated lingers supported pivotally intermediate their ends, and inclined and forced normally downwardly and forwardly towards the cutting element and towards said supporting means, means for pivotally mounting the spring actuated fingers, means for movably mounting the pivotal means of the fingers, the forward ends of the fingers engaging the upper face of the meat close to the cutting element to hold the meat firmly adjacent the cutting element during the slicing operation and incident to the aforesaid mountings, each finger being movable vertically upwardly in a vertical plane independently one of another against the action of the spring actuation thereof and in a vertical plane substantially parallel with the vertical plane of the cutting element, and means common to all of said fingers whereby to move all of said fingers from their normal operative positions upwardly to a full retracted position.

22. In a slicing machine, a frame, a meat supporting means, a cutting means including a cutting element, a series of spring actuated fingers supported pivotally intermediate their ends and inclined and forced normally downwardly and forwardly towards the cutting element and towards said supporting means, means for pivotally mounting the spring actuated fingers, means for movably mounting the pivotal means of the fingers, the forward ends of the fingers engaging the upper face of the meat close to the cutting element to hold the meat firmly adjacent the cutting element duringV the slicing operation and incident to the aforesaid mountings, each finger being movable upwardly in a vertical plane independently one of another against the action of the spring actuation thereof and in a vertical plane substantially parallel with the vertical plane of the cutting element, means common to all of said fingers whereby to move all of said fingers from their normal operative positions upwardly to a full retracted position, and means for fastening said common means when thus operated so as to hold said common means to main- Y tain the fingers out of their normal operative positions.

23. In a slicing machine, a frame, a meat supporting means, a cutting means including a cutting element, a series of spring actuated lingers supported pivotally intermediate their ends and inclined and forced normally downwardly and forwardly towards the cutting element and' towards said supporting means, means for pivotally mounting the said spring actuated fingers intermediate their ends, the forward ends of the fingers engaging the upper face of the meat close to the cutting element so as to hold the meat firmly adjacent the cutting element during the slicing operation to prevent lateral distortion of the meat during the slicing operation, each finger being movable vertically independently oneV of another against the action of the spring actuation thereof, and means common to all of said lingers whereby to move all of said fingers from their normal upward position upwardly to a full retracted position.

24. In a slicing machine, a frame, a meat supporting means, a cutting meansincluding a cutting element, a series of spring actuated lingers supported pivotally intermediate their ends and inclined and forced normally downwardly and forwardly towards the cutting element and towards said supporting means, means for pivotally mounting the said spring actuated fingers intermediate their ends, the forward ends of the fingers engaging the upper face of the meat closest to the cutting element so as to hold themeat firmly adjacent the cutting element during the slicing operation to prevent lateral distortion of the meat during the slicing operation, each finger being movable vertically independently one of another against the action of the spring actuation thereof, means common to all of said fingers whereby to move all of said fingers from their Y normal upward positionupwardly to` a full retracted position, and means for fastening said common operating means when operated asY Vaforesaid soto restrain saidcommon means and thereby .maintain the fingers 'out of their normal operative positions. Y. *Y 25. In a slicing machine, a frame, a meat supporting means, 'a4 cutting means' including a cut- Y ting element, a series of spring actuated fingers supported pivotally on the frame and inclined and forced normally downwardly and forwardly Vtowards the cutting element` and towards said Y Vsupporting means, means providing for the 'pivo-V tal mounting of said spring actuated'fingers, the

forward ends Yof' the fingersengaging the upper face ofthe meat at spaced points close to the cutting 'element to hold the meat firmly but yield.-V

ably'V adjacent the cutting element during the slicing operation to prevent lateral distortion of the meat during the slicing operation, each finger being movable rupwardly ina vertical plane ine dependently of one another against the Vaction of the spring actuation thereof and in a vertical Y plane substantially'parallel with the vertical plane of thev cutting element so as to prevent contact of the outer ends of the fingers with the cutting Y Velement during, said upward vertical movement of the fingers. Y

26. In a meat slicing machine, a frame, meansV `'on the'frame for the support of meat, a cutting means mounted on the frame, means cooperating with the cutting means to hold the meat firmly on said supporting means adjacent the cutting means during the slicing operation, including aV shaft mounted transversely in the Yframe above the meat, a plurality of arms mounted Vforup and down movement on said shaft and projectingto-V ward the cutting means, a'second shaft mounted transversely on the frame, a plurality of arms carriedby the second shaft, fingers pivoted intermediate their'ends to the arms of therst shaft and havingpivotal connection at their inner ends with the arms of said second shaft, and means mounted inV the frame for exerting pressure .on

said fingers to normally force the outer ends ofV the fingers into Yfirm but yielding engagement with the meat adjacent the'cutting means.

Y 27. In a meat slicing machine, aframe, a cutting means, means jfor feeding themat'erial to the cutting means, yieldable presser means above the material to yieldably press the same onV said feeding means, a second presser means arranged between the cutting means'and the aforesaid yieldable presser Ymeans, said second presser means comprising a plurality of springi actu-l ated plungers in operative relation with a plurality of pivoted fingers, said plungers providing means for yieldably forcing one of the endsV of said fingers into engagement with the material adjacent the cutting means where-Y by thejforemost end of the material'isvyieldpositioned 'between said cutting means and said presser'means for engaging 'the meat radjacent Ythe Vcutting means whereby Yther meat is yieldably held adjacent the cutting means during the slicing operation and vertically disposed spring actuated plunger means cooperatively positionedY above said finger means, said plunger means providing means for exerting pressure downwardly in a vertical direction on the inner side of said finger means and 'ata point abovethe pivot of said finger means whereby the latter are yield-. ably maintained inv engagement with the meat ad- Y jacent'the cutting means.

29. In a'meat slicing machine, a frame, arcut-V ting means associated with the frame, means over which the` meat may be fed to the cutting means, a presser means for yieldably pressing the meat on `the feedingV means, finger means under whichV the meat passes to the cutting means pivoted, intermediate their inner and outer ends and positioned between said YcuttingY means and said presser means to engage and yieldably hold the meat adjacent thecutting means during'the slicing operation, and rigid spring actuated'plunger means above said finger means, the lower ends of said plunger means operating on the inner portions of said finger means at a point above Y the pivot of saidV finger means to force the latter into yieldable engagement with the meat.,

v 30. In a meat slicing machine, a frame, a cut-Y ting means and means arranged adjacent the cutting means for firmly holding the material during the slicing operation, said holding means comprising a presser means including a plural-Y ity of spring actuated vertically disposed plungers i,

inoperative relation with a plurality of fingers pivotally mounted in the frame for vertical pivotal movement under the influence of said plungers, saidfingers at one end being extended forwardly and downwardly towards the 'cutting means and-y terminated at their forward ends relatively close tov the cutting means, and said fingers beingmounted and arranged for pivotal movement independf entof one another with their outer ends main.-

tained in a plane substantially parallel with the i vertical plane of the cutting means to prevent.

contact of the said outer ends of the fingers with the cutting means during vertical movement of thefingers. V

` CHARLES LOUIS STRAETEN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORBECTON.

Patent NO. 2, 058, '770. April 28, 1956.

CHARLES Louis STRAETEN.

It is heeby certified niet error appears in the printed specific-ation of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, Second Column, line after "that" insert the article a; page 5, second Column, line 6.5,oleim ioi" "yieldingly" read yieldeoly; and iine 6'?, claim out the word Yexid insert the same before "under" in line 66, same claim;

that seid Letters Patent should oe read with these oorestions therein that the same may oonfoim to the record of the oase in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of July, A. D. 1956.

Henry Van Aredale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Batents.

9, strike 

